"And that's time" the judge yelled out calling for the closing argument to abruptly end. "We shall now review both parties' arguments and get back to you in 15 minutes."
All the participants of the debate competition sighed as they relaxed in their chairs, a wave of relief hitting them as they realized that with this the term was over and their summer break was about to begin.
But it wasn't long before their relief turned into angst as the judges reappeared before them with the results in hand. Which team would bring their school the final trophy for the year?
"Based on our discussion, which was in no way easy the winners of the debate is..." the judge announced having all the students and audience on the edge of their seats. "the Konoha School of Arts, with our runners-up being Konoha Academy" she exclaimed with cheers erupting throughout the auditorium.
The students from Konoha Academy watched in disbelief as the Konoha School of Arts collected their trophy but as they tried to console each other the captain of the team Boruto Uzumaki noticed an all too familiar head of black hair belonging to the captain of the opposing school approaching him with that same grin he'd grown to despise.
"Second place again, I guess some things never change" she smirked.
"Just know this makes us even, and with next year being our senior year we won't be letting you get any more over us" he exasperated.
"You know what they say, talk is cheap, and right now there's only one team with a trophy" she replied her eyes flicking to the rest of her team celebrating. "Well unlike you, I have some partying to do," she said before turning around and walking back to her team.
Boruto was ready to leap out of his chair before he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder.
"Sarada again" he sighed, "You can't keep letting her get under your skin like this"
"You're right Mitsuki, but still I just hate that face she makes, like she's better than us. The amount of work we put into this we should've won" he blurted, exhausted and frustrated before he heard a snicker from one of his other teammates.
"Sarada this and Sarada that, it's over and at least now we can start our summer unlike those guys and their 2-hour trip back to their school, I almost feel bad for them. We'll just have to beat them next year, no need to be sulking around. It was a good matchup in the end." he said.
"You're probably right Inojin, at least you and Shikadai got us some points early on otherwise this might've been a massacre." he joked lightening up. But he just couldn't shake the fact that it was Sarada he lost to again.
It was a rivalry as old as time, neither individual would back down and both would have the same response when they won. A constant back and forth with no end, everyone knew about it which made it an even bigger event every time the schools would face off against each other.
*****
"I'm home" Sarada yelled as she shut the door, slipping off her shoes.
Walking into her living room her face lit up as she saw an unfamiliar sight, both of her parents together on the couch laughing, adding joy to her already unforgettable day.
"look we won the end-of-year competition today, which means our names are getting engraved into the plaque in the front of the school, "she told her parents pointing at the medal she received.
"That's wonderful dear, we can celebrate later tonight by going to a fancy dinner. Isn't that right Sasuke." her mother exclaimed.
"Of course Sakura and Sarada I'm proud of you, you've done a great job," he told his daughter before patting her on the head. "But before we can celebrate I've got some news that you may not particularly like"
